Coconut milk is a tasty and versatile alternative to cow's milk. You can use it for cooking or as a substitute for animal milk in daily life. It can be stored normally in the refrigerator or you can put it in the freezer to make it last longer. In the freezer it will stay fresh for a long time, but unfortunately it will lose some of its original taste and texture. This article also explains how to tell when coconut milk has gone bad to avoid any health risks.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Store Coconut Milk in the Refrigerator
Step 1. After opening the package, transfer the coconut milk you want to keep into an airtight container
This way it will keep fresh longer. You can reuse a bottle of milk or any soft drink after washing it carefully.
- Screw the cap tightly to seal the bottle.
- If you extracted coconut milk directly from the fresh fruit, transfer it to a container and place it in the refrigerator as soon as possible.
Step 2. Store coconut milk in the refrigerator and use within 7-10 days
After you have sealed the container carefully, you can place it in the refrigerator where the low temperatures will keep the coconut milk fresh for more than a week. After 10 days, however, the milk will start to deteriorate.
The consistency of the coconut milk affects the shelf life. Generally, the one with the most water starts to go bad after about 7 days. The denser one, on the other hand, can last up to 10 days
Step 3. If the coconut milk package is still unopened, store it in the refrigerator and respect the expiration date
If you bought coconut milk but don't want to use it right away, store it directly in the refrigerator. Check the expiration date to know when it should be used.
You can also store coconut milk in a dark, cool place, but the refrigerator remains the best possible option
Step 4. Tidy up in the fridge
Coconut milk can absorb the odors of other foods in the refrigerator even if it is closed in an airtight container; therefore move foods that have a strong smell away from coconut milk.
Foods that give off a strong odor include cheese, fish, meat, and yogurt
Method 2 of 3: Freeze and Thaw Coconut Milk
Step 1. Pour the coconut milk into an ice mold to use in small doses
If you want to divide it into small, convenient portions to use when cooking, pour it into an empty ice cube mold. Return the mold to the freezer and make sure it is in a perfectly horizontal position.
When you want to use coconut milk, remove one or more cubes from the freezer, place them in a glass and let it thaw completely before drinking or adding it to your recipes
Step 2. Pour the leftover coconut milk into an airtight container
If you opened a package of coconut milk and didn't use all of it, pour the leftover milk into an airtight container. You can use a bottle, plastic container, or resealable food bag.
If you use a food bag, be careful not to spill the coconut milk
Step 3. Return the container to the freezer and use the coconut milk within 6 months
The freezer will keep it fresh, but unfortunately the taste and texture may change. Once thawed, you can use it however you like, but it will taste slightly different than fresh.
The coconut milk will become firm, slightly grainy and lose some flavor
Step 4. Let the coconut milk thaw in the refrigerator for 4-5 days
This is a much longer process than you might expect. When you want to use coconut milk, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator a few days in advance. You can leave it inside the container you used to store it.
It is very likely that after 24 hours the coconut milk is still completely frozen. Check it periodically - at least once a day - until it has completely thawed out
Step 5. If you need to use it right away, defrost it in the microwave using the "defrost" function
Set the timer for 15 seconds, then remove the container from the oven, open it and mix the coconut milk with a spoon or fork.
- You will likely need to repeat this process several times until the coconut milk is completely thawed.
- Make sure the container in which you frozen the coconut milk is suitable for use in the microwave. Turn it over and look for a symbol made up of 3 superimposed waves: it is the one that ensures the possibility of using it in the microwave oven.
Method 3 of 3: Recognizing if Coconut Milk Has Gone Bad
Step 1. Check the expiration date on the package
If it's still sealed, make sure the expiration date hasn't been reached yet. If the coconut milk is out of date, throw it away, no matter how long you keep it in the refrigerator.
Step 2. After opening the package, use the coconut milk within 7-10 days
Beyond that date, it will start to turn sour and deteriorate quickly losing its original taste. Generally, 10 days is the maximum time you can use coconut milk once the package has been opened.
This rule also applies if the coconut milk was extracted directly from the fresh fruit, so use it within 7-10 days
Step 3. Use your sense of smell to make sure the coconut milk hasn't gone bad
The easiest way to tell if it's still good is to smell it. If it smells bad, it has gone bad and will most likely have a sour taste as well.
Coconut milk may have absorbed odors from other foods in the refrigerator. This is another sign that it has gone bad
Step 4. Examine the milk for mold or curdling
When fresh, coconut milk looks the same as cow's milk and it's pretty easy to tell if it's gone bad. One of the warning signs is the presence of pink mold on the surface.
- If you notice that the milk has changed color, it is very likely that it has gone bad.
- Look at the milk to see if it has lumped. If it looks and feels like curdled milk or yogurt, it has gone bad.
Step 5. Taste the coconut milk to see if it has spoiled
When it is not enough to observe and smell it to understand if it is still good, it is time to taste it. Take a sip to see if it has kept its fresh, pleasant and delicate taste. If it has lost its characteristic sweetness, it means that it has gone bad.
- Coconut milk in a can, when spoiled, acquires a stale taste.
- If when you taste coconut milk you notice that it tastes unpleasant, do not swallow and spit it out.
